I spent a lot of time doing karate at a club in Coventry and it helped me to understand the discipline of training and provided a great foundation to understand the work ethic required to succeed.

On the rugby side, there were a number of key people who really helped me to develop as a player at Coventry. People such as Jim Broderick, Peter Rossborough and then Derek Eves, who was player-coach in my final year, created a great environment to learn and a fantastic team spirit.

Throughout my career as a professional player, I have been very lucky to have been surrounded by good people to learn from.

I still remember my first year at Saracens. I walked into a changing room that had players such as Michael Lynagh, Philippe Sella, Paddy Johns, Francois Pienaar and Richard Hill. They were amazing professionals and I just sat back and watched how they did it and it was then just a question of trying to follow their lead. Paddy Johns in particular as a second row was a very good influence on me.

I am director of Bath's academy now and the first-team coaches are very supportive of the academy players at the club.

The contracted senior academy players train with the first team and they are straight away under the influence of these players. It is very important that they understand that.

We are lucky to have a huge number of very good and experienced players for young players to learn from and feed off. They then get exposure in the LV= Cup.

We have the likes of Anthony Watson, who was recently called into the England squad. Great credit is due to head coach Stuart Lancaster for recognising his ability and giving him an opportunity to be among that squad and learn from the senior England players. Hopefully, in the near future we will see him represent England.

Be part of the rugby family at the LV= Cup final at Sandy Park, Exeter on March 16, 2014. For ticket information, please contact the LV= Cup finalists directly